There have been many events throughout history where large corporations try to overwhelm and control smaller people. Unfortunately this is inevitable for small businesses that have no control over global industries. Four decades after the world's largest utility company began dumping 370 million gallons of cancer-causing chemicals into unlined ponds in Hinkley, California, the company's actions were finally exposed by a woman named Erin Brockovch. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Erin Brockovich was a formally unemployed single mother of three working at a California law firm. After a couple of months of researching medical records and real estate files, he uncovered information that led to the largest-ever settlement for a class-action civil suit. People and animals throughout the small town of Hinkley, California were falling ill without explanation. Some of these victims even died. Since the residents depended on the local supply of groundwater for all their needs, Brockovich began to wonder if these diseases and the water supply had any kind of connection to the deaths that occurred. In December 1987 officials notified the state of California that there was an abundance of chromium 6 in the groundwater. The levels were 10 times the amount allowed by law. Chromium 6 is a carcinogenic chemical that is extremely dangerous for the lungs. With many Hinkley residents complaining of respiratory problems, a link to chromium 6 was a big possibility. After the government becomes aware of the ongoing pollution, Erin Brockovich soon discovers that the PG and E corporation is covertly trying to purchase land contaminated with hexavalent chromium, a deadly toxic waste that the company is improperly and illegally dumping, and, in turn, poisoning area residents. As she digs deeper, Erin finds herself at the center of a series of events that would embroil her law firm in one of the largest class action lawsuits in American history against a multi-billion dollar corporation. Erin meets a strange-looking guy at a bar who she initially thinks is trying to pick her up, only to find out he's a former gas company employee and has a lot of incriminating evidence. That's really all the evidence they need right now. After the case is settled, Erin and her law firm help the citizens of the city win $333 million which would be split equally between them while Brockovich receives 7 million. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The American Dream is the ideology that if we work hard, we will do well and be successful in life. Erin Brockovich is living proof that this theory is true by working hard and becoming a very successful woman. This idea is highlighted by the fact that she is a poor single mother without much education under her belt and has to work hard to beat the odds and get the things she wants. Erin not only works hard to succeed in the things she wants, but helps many people along the way, suggesting that the American dream can help others as well as help ourselves.